Alcoholism is a disease that a person acquires voluntarily, crippling not only his body, but also his soul. And today it has become not an isolated case, but a real disaster for the nation. Therefore, it is obvious that medicine cannot cope with the “green serpent” without spiritual help. The Orthodox Church has vast and invaluable experience in the fight against drunkenness. Widely known, for example, was the icon of the Mother of God "Inexhaustible Chalice". In many churches, prayers are held near it. They are aimed at the physical and mental healing of people who are addicted to alcohol. When and by whom the icon was painted, no one knows. But it is known what event caused her special reverence.
Inexhaustible Chalice: Worship
Information about her spread after the event that happened to a peasant from the Tula province. The retired soldier quickly became a bitter drinker. He traded everything he had for vodka, because of alcohol his legs were taken away. But this did not stop the peasant. He continued to drink until an elder appeared to him in a dream with a command to go to Serpukhov, find the icon of the Inexhaustible Chalice in the monastery of the Lady of the Virgin and serveprayer before her. He crawled into town on all fours. The icon was found hanging in the passage from the sacristy to the church. As a result, the peasant returned to his county absolutely he althy. And the rumor about the glorification of this icon spread throughout Russia. Both the drunkards themselves and their relatives came to the monastery to ask the Mother of God for help and to thank for the mercy rendered.
"Inexhaustible Chalice": iconography
By the type of writing, it refers to the image of the Virgin "Oranta". The only significant difference is the location of the Infant in the bowl, which symbolizes communion. It exudes blessing to all sinners who approach it in faith. The cup is called inexhaustible, since its Lamb, which is sacrificed, is “always poisonous” and never diminishes. And the Mother of God, raising her hands to Heaven, like a high priest, intercedes before God, offering him a Sacrifice - Her Son, Her flesh and blood. She prays for all sinners seeking salvation. The Mother of God encourages them to turn away from destructive addictions and turn to the source of spiritual comfort and joy.
Inexhaustible Chalice Celebration
Her veneration takes place annually on May 18th. This date was timed to coincide with the departure of the Reverend Varlaam of Serpukhov to the other world. In the revived Vysotsky Monastery, every Sunday after the end of the Liturgy, a prayer service is first performed, then the akathist “The Inexhaustible Chalice” is read in front of the icon of the Mother of God. And during the final prayer, the names of those who suffer from alcoholism and need help and grace are listed. Ladies.
This akathist is read in many other churches in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine. By the way, in the same monastery in Serpukhov, along with the traditional veneration of the icon, its celebration on December 10 is also resumed. It was on this day that it was performed in the 19th century.
"Inexhaustible Chalice": a prayer to the Mother of God in honor of the icon
She is lifted up by all who yearn for healing. It is believed that this prayer helps to get rid not only of cravings for alcohol and drugs, but also to heal the diseases of the spirit and body that arise against their background. Since it began to be read by believers, many cases of complete healing have been recorded.
